Above these stupid words is the 2nd coolest looking guy on an album cover ever ( I will brawl with anyone who says the boss on darkness on the edge of town isn’t the crown prince of cool)

It is the weather beaten, world weary fizzer of Dennis Wilson. A quick look into those eyes tells you this is a man who has been through a lot. The Inglewood boy was part of the Beach Boys along with his brothers Brian and Carl, but I’m not going to give you a potted history of that most famous of bands…

It was a BBC radio 2 documentary that hipped me to Dennis. The most headline grabbing period of his life was the association with Charles Manson.  The Manson family moved in with a not entirely compliant Dennis and used  his wealth for their own benefit. Not least for curing their rampant Clap. From what I can make out Dennis became increasingly wary of Manson and started to distance himself. Looks like the final straw was when Charlie sent Dennis a bullet…… Understandably Dennis was always affected by his relationship with the guy who turned out be one the most infamous figures of the 60’s.

‘Pacific Ocean Blue’ was his first solo album, released in 1977, and reissued in 2008. Whilst not having the notoriety of Brian’s lost/delayed ‘Smile’ it nonetheless is a fine piece of work. In todays media Brian hogs all the limelight, and perhaps fair enough, but I’m glad I was tuned into the tranny the night Dennis’ story was told. And what became of this bearded wild man? On december 28 1983, Dennis went swimming in the ocean at Marina Del Ray, and didn’t come back out.

They say I live a fast life. Maybe I just like a fast life. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. It won’t last forever, either. But the memories will.